Typography designs come out great on T-shirts, hoodies or tote bags when the message is in tune with the typography style. Get inspired with 3 short tutorials, and learn how to get the best out of your typography designs. Your messages will take on a new dimension with typography effects. Learn how to make typography in Photoshop and have fun adding your personal touch!
Making text fit letters
- Create a new file and open the text tool. Choose a font, preferably one big enough to incorporate your text later (in our example it’s Arial MT Bold, size 200 pt.).
- Enter a letter, e.g. Y.
- Right-click the text layer in the layers window and choose “Create a work path”.
- Hide the layer containing the letter by clicking on the eye in the layer window. Only the work path you created will remain visible.
- Click on this path with the text tool selected. Change the font size. Hit Ctrl + T to open a window with options for characters and styles. In our example, we chose “All Justified” in the paragraph tool and a 5-pt font.
- Now type your text.
- Hide the working path by pressing Ctrl + H.
Creating a vintage style design
- Create a new file and open the text tool. Choose a font (in our example it’s Time New Roman in size 70pt.).
- Enter your text, e.g. Vintage.
- Right-mouse click the button on the layer containing the text, click on “Blending Options” and then go to the “Stroke” menu. In the dialog box, choose “Outside” in “Position”.
- Go to “outer glow” in the same dialog box and choose the “Normal” blending mode.
- Close the ” Blending Options” window.
- Press the Ctrl key and click the “T” icon on the layer containing the text. Dotted selection lines will appear on your text. In the navigation bar, click on “Select-> Edit-> Contract” and contract by 6 pixels.
- Create a new layer and change the color.
- Duplicate the layer containing the Vintage text.
- Select the upper Vintage layer (name the layers differently) and change the color of the “Outer Glow” option (the same color as the background).
- Select the lower Vintage layer and delete the effects (outline and glow) by right clicking on “fx” on the layer and then “Disable layer effects”.
- Select the “Move” toolbar, and move the lower layer slightly with the arrows on the keyboard.
Creating a typographical image
- Create a new file and import a photo. Crop your photo with the “Crop” tool.
- Hide the photo layer and create a new layer. Fill it in black.
- Add your text with the text tool. By pressing Ctrl + T you can adjust the size and position of your text. Confirm the changes by pressing Enter.
- Use the shift key to select the layers containing your texts and group them (Ctrl + G).
- Press the Ctrl key and click the “T” icon on the layer containing the text. Dotted selection lines will appear on your text. Now hide the group.
- Create a new layer and press Alt + Del. Unselect by pressing Ctrl + D.
- Select the “Paint Bucket” in the tool panel and fill the letters with color.
- Take a look at the panel options on the top down tool box on the left and change the “Move Mode” to “Raw Light”. Then press Alt + Ctrl + G.
You can upload your design as a vector graphics file or pixel graphics. For the latter, consider the following pointers to make it fit for print with Spreadshirt:
- PNG, JPG, BMP or GIF file format
- Maximum file size 10MB
- Image resolution at least 200 dpi
- Maximum size 4,000 x 4,000 pixels
- Design should be isolated
Text effects help you to easily create unique designs for T-shirts, accessories and other clothing. Spreadshirt is an international platform that allows you to sell your designs, so use your typography designs to place them on the Marketplace and to open a Shop. The service is completely free!
Want to make money with your creativity? Monetize on your designs by opening a 100% FREE online shop today!
These Photoshop typography tutorials are very helpful. Thank you.
Happy to hear these help!